The Impact of Lifestyle on Sperm Function, Telomere Length, and IVF Outcomes

Abstract

Many risk factors can potentially influence sperm quality. Telomeres confer stability on the chromosome and their dysfunction has been implicated in conditions such as cancer, aging, and lifestyle. The impact of lifestyle on sperm cell telomeres is unclear. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of lifestyle behaviors on telomere length in sperm and to follow the correlation with pregnancy outcomes in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). In this prospective observational study, sperm was analyzed for telomere length (TL). Men were asked to report lifestyle behaviors including occupation (physical or sedentary), smoking duration and amount, physical activity, dietary habits, and where they keep their cellular phone (bag, pants, or shirt pocket). Correlations among semen analysis, TL, men’s habits, and embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes were evaluated. Among 34 patients recruited, 12 had longer TL and 13 shorter TL. Sperm motility was negatively correlated with TL (Pearson correlation = −.588, p = .002). Smoking adversely affected native sperm motility (53% motility in nonsmokers vs. 37% in smokers; p = .006). However, there was no significant impact on TL. The group with longer telomeres demonstrated significant association with healthy diet (10/12 vs. 6/13; p = .05) and a trend toward more sports activity, weekly (16/84 vs. 7/91; p = .04) compared with the shorter telomeres group. This study suggests that lifestyle, healthy diet, and sports activity are associated with long telomeres in sperm. Sperm quality is also influenced by patients’ habits. The study strongly recommends maintaining a healthy lifestyle to preserve general health and fertility.

Functional association between telomeres, oxidation and mitochondria

“…Recent studies have suggested that lifestyle choices including drinking alcohol and coffee, exercising, and smoking contribute to the length of sperm telomeres. Atypical STL spermatozoa have not yet resulted in any successful pregnancies following IVF or ICSI, and the measurement of STL was not thought to be accurate in determining reproductive outcomes in ICSI cycles utilizing donor semen ( 53 ).…”

“…Numerous studies have found a relationship between the aforementioned parameters and STL integrity ( 52 ). These lifestyle factors considerably increase the occurrence of ROS when paired with advanced age ( 53 , 54 ). Due to their repeated patterns and high guanine content, telomeres are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, which results in the formation of 8-oxo-2-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) ( 55 ).…”

The Role of Dietary Nutrients in Male Infertility: A Review

“…As we have depicted in the above data, there are wide-ranging issues that can affect sperm function and health, which results in male infertility. Iatrogenic or hereditary causes are the well-accepted etiologies, and one of the biggest contributors to this failure is modifiable lifestyle influences [ 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Studies have informed that exposure to numerous lifestyle issues, including smoking, alcohol, obesity, illicit drugs, fast food intake, caffeine and diet, can negatively affects male fertility [ 47 , 48 ].…”

“…Moreover, the drinking of alcohol may be associated with the male infertility by causing the Sertoli-cell syndrome, spermatogenic arrest and antioxidant imbalance due to high levels of seminal leucocytes [ 48 , 49 ]. Additionally, it has been mentioned that chronic alcohol consumption is further associated with epigenetic modulations and the transfer of these modifications to the next generation, which is evolving as a main cause of alcohol-related fetal growth blemishes via changed paternal DNA methylation [ 46 ]. In this regard, further clarifications are hunted to explore the transgenerational effects on the offspring health at the omics levels.…”

The role of red ginseng in men’s reproductive health: a literature review

“…MRH is related to the erectile function, testicular functions of steroidogenesis (testosterone synthesis), and spermatogenesis, and it is influenced by numerous factors [ 3 , 4 ]. These factors include unhealthy eating habits, delayed marriage, exposure to environmental pollutants, psychological stress, drug abuse, and natural aging in humans [ 5 – 8 ]. Given the influence of traditional sexual concepts, many men are reluctant to admit that they have a reproductive disorder.…”